Qwest, Kyocera Recall 11,000 Wireless Phones

(Telephony) Qwest Communications and Kyocera Wireless are replacing about 11,000 Kyocera QCP-3035 model wireless phones that were sold only to Qwest customers in 12 states. Qwest, which began selling the model in December, is the only carrier currently using the model.

After periodic reliability testing on its QCP-3035 phones, Kyocera determined that some of the phones might not meet energy emission standards set by the FCC when used in analog mode. The company maintains the instances were found to be limited.

“This was a proactive and pre-emptive move to assure the reliability of our phones,” said a spokesman for Kyocera. “We will continue to run with this model of phone.”

Kyocera informed Qwest that it believes, based on testing and available research, the original and replacement phones do not create a health or safety issue from energy emissions.

Regardless, the companies embarked on a replacement program that affects about 1% of Qwest’s wireless customers in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Kyocera will replace the current phones with 3035 models that are in compliance, the spokesman said. He said the decision to replace the original models was to secure the company’s reputation and to continue to provide quality phones. Kyocera will continue marketing the model to other carriers in the near future, the spokesman said.

Qwest began notifying affected customers about the replacement program today and expects to deliver new QCP-3035 models by Thursday.